Yankees Claim Kaleb Ort
The Yankees announced that they have claimed right-hander Kaleb Ort off waivers from the Astros. The move was reported by Yankees Never Win prior to the official announcement. Houston recently designated Ort for assignment when they signed Tatsuya Imai. The Yanks had multiple 40-man vacancies and don’t need to make a corresponding move.
Ort, 34 in February, has pitched for the Red Sox and Astros over the past five seasons. He has shown some intriguing stuff but without fully harnessing it for good results. He averages in the upper 90s with his four-seamer while also throwing a cutter, slider and changeup.
Through the end of the 2023 season, he had thrown 51 2/3 innings for the Red Sox with a 6.27 earned run average. Boston put him on waivers in October of 2023 and he bounced around the league that winter, going to the Mariners, Marlins, Phillies and Orioles via waivers or cash deals. Baltimore kept him on optional assignment early in 2024, exhausting Ort’s final option year in the process. They put him in waivers in May of that year, which is when the Astros grabbed him.
He had his best run of major league success with the Astros. After that claim, he gave Houston 22 innings with a 2.55 ERA, 28% strikeout rate and 4.3% walk rate. That impressed the Astros enough that Ort held a roster spot through 2025 despite being out of options, but he couldn’t keep the results at that level. He tossed 46 innings last year with a 4.89 ERA. His 25.3% strikeout rate was still good but he gave out free passes at a 13.9% clip. He spent most of September on the injured list due to right elbow inflammation.
For the Yankees, there’s no real harm in a waiver claim for now. As mentioned, they had multiple open roster spots. Ort still doesn’t have enough service time to have qualified for arbitration. They can bring him into camp to compete for a bullpen spot.
It’s also possible they put him back on waivers later, after they make more moves and fill out the roster. If he were to pass through waivers unclaimed, they could keep him in a non-roster capacity. Ort doesn’t have a previous career outright and is shy of three years of service time, meaning he doesn’t have the right to reject an outright assignment in favor of free agency.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Shea, Imagn Images
Braves Claim George Soriano, Designate Brett Wisely For Assignment
The Braves have claimed right-hander George Soriano off waivers from the Orioles, according to announcements from both clubs. Baltimore designated him for assignment earlier this week. To open a 40-man spot, Atlanta designated infielder Brett Wisely for assignment.
Soriano, 27 in March, spent his entire career with the Marlins until recently. The Orioles claimed him off waivers in November. Baltimore loves to claim players from the wire and then put them back out there later, hoping the player clears waivers and can stay in the Orioles’ system. They recently designated Soriano for assignment when they claimed outfielder Jhonkensy Noel. They later designated Noel for assignment when they claimed Marco Luciano.
In this case, Baltimore’s attempt to get Soriano through waivers has not worked, with Atlanta scooping him up. Atlanta has surely gotten some decent looks at the righty, as he has been playing within their division. He logged 118 innings for the Marlins over the past three years, allowing 5.95 earned runs per nine. His 22% strikeout rate and 10.3% walk rate were both a bit worse than average.
Teams like Baltimore and Atlanta are likely intrigued by his minor league numbers. He tossed 42 2/3 innings in Triple-A last year with a 2.32 ERA. He struck out 28.8% of batters faced and also kept batted balls on the ground at a 55.7% rate. He also held his walk rate to a more reasonable 8.8% rate at that level.
Soriano exhausted his final option season in 2025, which has pushed him to a fringe roster area. He’s now twice been put on waivers but twice been claimed. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he loses his roster spot yet again before the winter is out. For now, he has a spot with Atlanta. He has a bit more than a year of big league service time. That means he can be controlled for five full seasons and is still two years away from qualifying for arbitration.
Wisely, 27 in May, is in a somewhat similar position. He’s an infielder and not a pitcher but he has exhausted his options, giving him a tenuous hold on a roster spot thanks to tepid big league results. The Giants designated him for assignment in September, which led to Atlanta claiming him off waivers.
In 466 big league plate appearances, he has a line of just .214/.265/.319. But over the past three years, he has a .276/.375/.436 line and 113 wRC+ at the Triple-A level. He has also racked up a bunch of stolen bases in the minors and provides defensive versatility. He has experience at all four infield spots and all three outfield slots as well.
Like Soriano, he can be affordably controlled for five more seasons if he latches on somewhere. Given his multi-positional abilities and speed, perhaps he will find interest from a club looking to deepen its bench. If he passes through waivers unclaimed, Atlanta can keep him in a non-roster capacity. He can be in DFA limbo for a week at most. The waiver process takes 48 hours, so Atlanta could take five days to field trade interest, but they could also place him on the wire quicker than that.
Photo courtesy of Jerome Miron, Imagn Images
Dodgers Claim Ryan Fitzgerald
The Dodgers announced that they have claimed infielder Ryan Fitzgerald off waivers from the Twins. Alden González of ESPN reported the claim prior to the official announcement. Minnesota designated him for assignment a week ago when they acquired Eric Wagaman from the Marlins. The Dodgers had an open 40-man spot due to trading outfielder Esteury Ruiz to the Marlins last month, which prompted the Fish to designate Wagaman for assignment.
Though the teams surely didn’t plan it this way, it works out to essentially be an accidental three-team trade over the span of a couple of weeks. The Dodgers flipped Ruiz to the Marlins in late December for minor league pitcher Adriano Marrero. Miami bumped Wagaman off their roster and then traded him to Minnesota for minor league pitcher Kade Bragg. That led to Fitzgerald getting bumped off the Minnesota roster and landing with Los Angeles.
Fitzgerald, 32 in June, just got to make his major league debut. After years grinding away in independent ball and the minor leagues, the Twins called him up to the show last year a bit before his 31st birthday. He stepped to the plate 53 times in 24 games and produced a .196/.302/.457 batting line while playing all four infield positions. He stole just one base but his sprint speed was ranked in the 79th percentile of big leaguers last year. He had a better batting line of .277/.367/.469 in Triple-A last year, though that was aided by a .349 batting average on balls in play.
The Dodgers are one of the best teams in baseball, having won the World Series in the past two seasons. They won’t need Fitzgerald to be an everyday player but his versatility is surely appealing for depth purposes, especially considering the veteran nature of their infield. Their shortstop is Mookie Betts, who is 33 years old and was an outfielder until recently. They have 35-year-old Max Muncy at third and 36-year-old Freddie Freeman at first.
Second base is fairly open, with Tommy Edman, Hyeseong Kim, Miguel Rojas and Alex Freeland in the mix there. Edman can also play the outfield and is also coming off ankle surgery. Kim can play multiple positions. Rojas is about to turn 37. Freeland is one of the club’s top prospects and has options, so perhaps he could end up getting regular playing time in the minors as opposed to holding a part-time role in the big leagues.
Since Fitzgerald can play all over and has a bit of speed, he could be an attractive bench piece. He could give the veterans the occasional day off or replace them mid-game in blowouts. His wheels could also allow him to pinch run on occasion.
Fitzgerald also has a couple of options remaining, so he could simply be stashed in the minors as depth to be on hand for when injuries arise throughout the year. He has just 65 days of big league service time, meaning he’s still being paid around the league minimum and is at least three years away from qualifying for arbitration.
Photo courtesy of Jesse Johnson, Imagn Images
Nationals Claim Paxton Schultz
The Nationals announced that they have claimed right-hander Paxton Schultz off waivers from the Blue Jays. The Jays designated the righty for assignment recently when they signed Kazuma Okamoto. The Nats opened a 40-man roster spot earlier today by releasing Sauryn Lao.
Schultz, 28, has a limited big league track record. He made his debut with the Jays in 2025, tossing 24 2/3 innings over 13 appearances. His 4.38 earned run average in that small sample wasn’t especially impressive but his 25.5% strikeout rate and 7.3% walk rate were both better than average. His .333 batting average on balls in play and 65.8% strand rate were both a bit to the unlucky side, which is why his 3.43 SIERA was more optimistic than his actual ERA. He averaged around 94 miles per hour with his four-seamer and sinker while also throwing a cutter, slider and changeup.
He also served a multi-inning role on the farm with fairly comparable results. He logged 49 frames over 25 Triple-A appearances last year with a 3.31 ERA. He struck out 23.6% of batters faced at that level with an 8.7% walk rate.
The Nats had the worst bullpen in the majors last year. Their relief corps had a collective 5.59 ERA for the season, last in the majors by a decent amount. The Rockies, who play in the hitters’ haven of Coors Field, were second-worst with a 5.18 ERA. Washington’s group is arguably even weaker now, as they traded Kyle Finnegan, Luis García and Andrew Chafin at the deadline and Jose A. Ferrer this offseason.
Schultz gives them a fresh arm coming off a decent season. He still has a couple of options remaining, meaning he can be sent to Triple-A and back fairly regularly. He also has less than a year of big league service time, meaning he’s still years away from arbitration and even further from free agency.
Photo courtesy of Dan Hamilton, Imagn Images
Mets Outright Ji Hwan Bae
The Mets announced that infielder/outfielder Ji Hwan Bae has been sent outright Triple-A Syracuse. When combined with the club losing Drew Romo via waivers to the White Sox, the Mets’ 40-man roster count dropped to 38 this week.
Bae, 26, has never played for the Mets. He spent his entire with the Pirates until being claimed by the Mets off waivers in November. The Mets also claimed Romo from the Orioles in December. With both players, it seems the plan was to put them back on the wire later to hopefully keep them as non-roster depth. It didn’t work with Romo but the Mets will keep Bae. This is his first career outright and he has less than three years of service time, so he doesn’t have the right to elect free agency.
He was once a notable prospect with the Bucs but he hasn’t fully delivered on that in the big leagues yet. He does have a decent floor due to some speed and defensive versatility. The offense has been good in the minors but hasn’t clicked in the majors.
The Pirates sent Bae to the plate 514 times over the past four seasons and he has produced a .223/.294/.293 line in those. But he stole 37 bases while playing both middle infield spots and all three outfield positions. In 2025, he exclusively played the outfield. In the minors, he stepped the plate 1,152 times from 2022 to 2025 with a .306/.390/.451 line and 126 wRC+.
Now that he has cleared waivers, the Mets can keep him around without him taking up a roster spot. If he earns his way back onto the roster at some point, he still has an option and less than two years of service time, meaning he can provide roster flexibility and years of affordable control. The Mets now have a couple of open roster spots to use for whatever they end up doing in the remainder of the offseason.
Photo courtesy of Daniel Kucin Jr., Imagn Images
Nationals Release Sauryn Lao To Pursue Opportunity In Japan
The Nationals announced today that right-hander Sauryn Lao has been released to pursue an opportunity in Japan. The club’s 40-man roster count drops to 39. Mike Rodriguez reported last month that Lao had agreed to a deal with the Nippon-Ham Fighters of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. Per Rodriguez, that deal is for one guaranteed year with a club option for 2027 and could end up paying more than $3MM.
Lao, 26, landed with the Nats via waivers in September. He had made his major league debut with the Mariners earlier in 2025. Between the two clubs, he tossed 11 innings, allowing six earned runs while striking out nine opponents.
He began his professional career as an international signing of the Dodgers back in 2015. Initially an infielder, he couldn’t hit enough to get beyond the High-A level, so the Dodgers put him on the mound in 2023. He showed some encouraging results for a couple of years but didn’t get a roster spot. He became a minor league free agent after 2024 and landed a minor league deal with the Mariners.
His track record in the majors is obviously still quite limited but his results in the minors have been good. He tossed 74 2/3 Triple-A innings last year over 25 appearances. 19 of those were technically starts, though mostly in the range of two to four innings. He allowed 3.01 earned runs per nine with a 24.7% strikeout rate and 6.9% walk rate, both solid figures.
Despite the solid numbers, his path to regular big league playing time would have been a bit challenging. He has two option years, meaning he could be sent to the minors regularly for another two years. Even if he carved out a regular role in the bigs, he only has 24 days of big league service time, meaning he would be three years away from an arbitration raise.
Taking the opportunity to go overseas gives him a better chance to pitch on a big stage and bank some notable earnings in the next few years. Since he’s still in his mid-20s, perhaps he can try to return to North American ball in a few years if he has some success overseas.
For the Nats, they are losing an arm they liked enough to grab from the waiver wire. However, clubs generally don’t stand in the way of players pursuing such opportunities in other leagues. The front office has also been overhauled since the claim of Lao, so it’s entirely possible the new regime was less attached to him than the previous one. The Nats will likely receive a nominal release fee from the Fighters.
Photo courtesy of Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images
2026 Arbitration Tracker
Today is the deadline for players and teams to exchange figures in arbitration — an annual deadline that leads to a slew of one-year deals and, typically, a handful of multi-year deals. All but 18 arbitration-eligible players reached an agreement. Each player’s service time is in parentheses, and you can of course check back to see each player’s projected salary from MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz. All agreements are for one year unless otherwise noted.
Angels
- Brock Burke (5.045): Team announced $2.325MM agreement
- Jo Adell (4.085): Team announced $5.2MM agreement
- Reid Detmers (3.159): No agreement reached, likely heading to hearing
- José Soriano (3.121): Team announced $2.9MM agreement
- Logan O’Hoppe (3.008): $2.625MM agreement today (per Romero)
- Zach Neto (2.170): $4.15MM agreement today (per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com)
Astros
- Steven Okert (5.089): $2.325MM agreement today (via MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart)
- Bryan Abreu (5.022): $5.85MM agreement today (per McTaggart)
- Enyel De Los Santos (5.015): $1.6MM agreement reached in November
- Isaac Paredes (4.160): No agreement reached, likely heading to hearing (per McTaggart)
- Jesús Sánchez (4.118): $6.8MM agreement today (per McTaggart)
- Jake Meyers (4.044): $3.55MM agreement today (per McTaggart)
- Jeremy Peña (4.000): $9.475MM agreement today (per McTaggart)
- Hunter Brown (3.035): $5.71MM agreement today (per Chandler Rome of The Athletic)
- Yainer Diaz (3.035): No agreement reached, likely heading to hearing (per McTaggart)
- Hayden Wesneski (2.170): $975K agreement today (per Full Seam Ahead)
- Nick Allen (2.164): $1.4MM agreement today (per Rome)
- Bennett Sousa (2.156): $910K agreement today (per McTaggart)
- Taylor Trammell (2.144): Agreed to split deal in November, $900K in majors and $500K in minors, before being outrighted off the roster in December
Athletics
- Austin Wynns (5.017): $1.1MM agreement reached in November
- Shea Langeliers (3.051): $5.25MM agreement today (per Murray)
- Luis Medina (2.149): $835K agreement reached in November
Blue Jays
- Daulton Varsho (5.128): $10.75MM agreement reached today
- Eric Lauer (5.091): No agreement reached, likely heading to hearing (per Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet)
- Ernie Clement (3.168): $4.6MM agreement today (per Mitch Bannon of The Athletic)
- Tyler Heineman (3.066): $1.2375MM agreement reached today (per Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet)
Braves
- Mauricio Dubon (5.162): $6.1MM agreement reached in November
- José Suarez (4.064): $900K agreement reached in November
- Dylan Lee (3.150): No agreement reached, likely heading to hearing
- Eli White (3.140): $900K agreement reached in November
- Vidal Bruján (3.014): Agreed to split deal in November, $850K in majors and $500K in minors; designated for assignment today to open roster spot for claim of Waldichuk
- Joey Wentz (2.166): $900K agreement reached in November
- Ken Waldichuk (2.150): $825K agreement reached in November with the Athletics, claimed off waivers by Atlanta today
Brewers
- Jake Bauers (5.084): $2.7MM agreement reached in November
- Andrew Vaughn (4.142): $7.65MM agreement today (per Murray)
- William Contreras (4.112): No agreement reached, likely heading to hearing (per Feinsand)
- Trevor Megill (4.002): $4.7MM agreement today (per Alexander)
- Ángel Zerpa (3.082): $1.095MM agreement today (per Feinsand)
- Garrett Mitchell (3.040): $950K agreement today (per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com)
- Brice Turang (2.165): $4.15MM agreement today (per Murray)
Cardinals
- JoJo Romero (5.045): $4.26MM agreement today (per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
- Lars Nootbaar (4.076): $5.25MM agreement today (per Murray)
- Brendan Donovan (4.000): $5.8MM agreement today (per Goold)
- Andre Pallante (3.145): $4MM agreement reached today (per FanSided’s Robert Murray)
- Nolan Gorman (3.114): $2.655MM agreement today (per Woo)
- Alec Burleson (3.029): $3.3MM agreement today (per Woo)
- Matthew Liberatore (2.144): $2.26MM agreement today (per Goold)
Cubs
- Justin Steele (4.143): $6.775MM agreement today (per Patrick Mooney of The Athletic)
- Edward Cabrera (3.147): $4.45MM agreement today (per Jesse Rogers of ESPN)
- Javier Assad (3.027): $1.8MM agreement with a $3.3MM option for 2027; Assad would still be arb-eligible in 2027 if option turned down (per the Associated Press)
Diamondbacks
- A.J. Puk (5.124): $3.1MM agreement today (per Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic)
- Ryan Thompson (5.095): $3.95MM agreement today (via Ari Alexander of 7News)
- Kevin Ginkel (5.033): $2.725MM agreement today (per Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic)
- Pavin Smith (4.015): $2.25MM agreement today (per MLBTR’s Steve Adams)
- Alek Thomas (3.103): $1.9625MM agreement today (per Feinsand)
- Jake McCarthy (3.074): $1.525MM agreement today (per Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic)
- Gabriel Moreno (3.061): $2.55MM agreement today (per Romero)
- Ryne Nelson (3.020): $3MM agreement today (per Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic)
Dodgers
- Brusdar Graterol (5.167): $2.8MM agreement reached yesterday
- Alex Vesia (5.078): Dodgers exercised $3.65MM club option in November
- Anthony Banda (4.135): $1.625MM agreement today (per Woo)
- Brock Stewart (4.093): $1.3MM agreement today (per Jack Harris of the California Post)
- Alex Call (2.161): $1.6MM agreement today (per Harris)
Giants
Guardians
- Steven Kwan (4.000): $7.725MM agreement today (per Murray)
- Nolan Jones (3.007): $2MM agreement reached in November
- David Fry (2.154): $1.375MM agreement reached in November
- Matt Festa (2.153): $1MM agreement reached in November
Marlins
- Anthony Bender (4.153): $2.81MM agreement today (per Craig Mish of SportsGrid)
- Braxton Garrett (3.168): $1.53MM agreement reached today (per Fish on First)
- Ryan Weathers (3.066): $1.35MM agreement reached today (agreement per Isaac Azout of Fish on First; salary reported by Mish)
- Andrew Nardi (3.053): $800K agreement reached today (per Associated Press)
- Max Meyer (2.166): $980K agreement reached today (per Associated Press)
- Calvin Faucher (2.156): No agreement reached, likely heading to hearing (per Azout)
Mariners
- Randy Arozarena (5.129): $15.65MM agreement reached today
- Logan Gilbert (4.144): $10.927MM agreement reached today
- Gabe Speier (4.000): $2.125MM agreement today (per Bob Nightengale of USA Today)
- George Kirby (3.151): $6.55MM agreement today (per Murray)
- Matt Brash (3.121): $1.55MM agreement (per Daniel Kramer of MLB.com)
- Luke Raley (3.106): $2.05MM agreement today (per Nightengale)
- Bryce Miller (2.153): No agreement reached, likely heading to hearing
Mets
- Luis Torrens (5.105): $2.275MM agreement today (per Will Sammon of The Athletic)
- Tyrone Taylor (5.093): $3.8MM agreement reached in November
- David Peterson (5.089): $8.1MM agreement today (per Murray)
- Tylor Megill (4.031): $2.5MM agreement today (per Ari Alexander of 7News)
- Huascar Brazobán (2.170): $1.05MM agreement today (per Alexander)
- Francisco Alvarez (2.164): $2.4MM agreement today (per Francys Romero of BeisbolFR)
- Reed Garrett (2.143): $1.3MM agreement today (per Alexander)
Nationals
- Luis García Jr. (4.142): $6.875MM agreement today (per Nightengale)
- Josiah Gray (4.075): $1.35MM agreement reached in December
- MacKenzie Gore (4.000): $5.6MM agreement today (per Murray)
- Riley Adams (3.171): Agreed to split deal in November, $1MM in majors and $500K in minors
- CJ Abrams (3.130): $4.2MM agreement today (per Andrew Golden of The Washington Post)
- Jake Irvin (2.152): $2.8MM agreement today (per Golden)
- Cade Cavalli (2.141): No agreement reached, likely headed to hearing (per Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post)
Orioles
- Taylor Ward (5.164): $12.175MM agreement reached today
- Ryan Mountcastle (5.105): $6.787MM agreement today on a one-year deal with a $7.5MM club option for 2027
- Keegan Akin (5.083): No agreement reached, likely headed to hearing
- Trevor Rogers (5.047): $6.2MM agreement today (per Kostka)
- Tyler Wells (4.132): $2.445MM agreement today (per Kostka)
- Dean Kremer (4.112): $5.75MM agreement today (per Kostka)
- Adley Rutschman (4.000): $7.25MM agreement today (per Murray)
- Félix Bautista (4.000): $2.25MM agreement reached in November
- Kyle Bradish (3.160): No agreement reached, likely headed to hearing
- Shane Baz (3.158): $3.5MM agreement today (per Buster Olney of ESPN)
- Yennier Cano (3.065): $1.6MM agreement today (per Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com)
- Gunnar Henderson (3.036): $8.5MM agreement today (per Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner)
Padres
- Adrián Morejón (5.140): $3.9MM agreement today (per Feinsand)
- Jason Adam (5.132): $6.675MM agreement today, per Feinsand
- Gavin Sheets (4.076): $4.5MM agreement today (per Woo)
- JP Sears (3.065): $2.75MM agreement (per Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune)
- Luis Campusano (3.003): $900K agreement reached in November
- Mason Miller (2.166): $4MM agreement today (per Feinsand)
- Freddy Fermin (2.165): $2.1MM agreement today (per Feinsand)
Phillies
- Jesús Luzardo (5.165): $11MM agreement reached today
- Edmundo Sosa (5.140): $4.4MM agreement today (per Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic)
- Alec Bohm (5.106): $10.2MM agreement reached today
- Garrett Stubbs (4.148): Agreed to split deal in November, $925K in majors and $575K in minors
- Brandon Marsh (4.078): $5.2MM agreement today (per Varnes)
- Jhoan Duran (4.000): $7.5MM agreement today (per Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer)
- Bryson Stott (4.000): $5.9MM agreement today (per Murray)
- Tanner Banks (3.092): $1.2MM agreement today (per Bob Nightengale of USA Today)
- Rafael Marchan (3.006): $860K agreement reached in November
Pirates
- Dennis Santana (5.126): $3.5MM agreement today (via Alex Stumpf of MLB.com)
- Joey Bart (4.020): $2.53MM agreement today (per Stumpf)
- Justin Lawrence (3.167): $1.225MM agreement today (according to Stumpf)
- Yohan Ramirez (3.135): $825K agreement reached in November
- Oneil Cruz (3.110): $3.3MM agreement today (per Robert Murray of Fansided)
- Jack Suwinski (2.170): $1.25MM agreement reached in November
Rangers
- Sam Haggerty (5.007): $1.25MM agreement reached in November
- Josh Smith (3.129): $3.225MM agreement (per Alexander)
- Jake Burger (3.127): $3.2MM agreement today (per Feinsand)
- Ezequiel Durán (3.050): $1.375MM agreement today (per Nightengale)
- Josh Jung (3.023): $2.9MM agreement today (per Nightengale)
Rays
- Shane McClanahan (4.158): $3.6MM agreement reached in December
- Cole Sulser (4.096): $1.05MM agreement reached in November
- Taylor Walls (4.092): Club exercised $2.45MM option in November and agreed to $3.1MM club option for 2027
- Griffin Jax (4.091): $3.565MM agreement today (per Topkin)
- Garrett Cleavinger (4.060): $2.4MM agreement today (per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times)
- Steven Wilson (3.166): $1.52MM agreement today, (per Topkin)
- Nick Fortes (3.149): $2.535MM agreement today (per Topkin)
- Josh Lowe (3.093): $2.6MM agreement today (per Topkin)
- Bryan Baker (3.049): $1.275MM agreement today (per Feinsand)
- Ryan Pepiot (3.005): $3.025MM agreement today (per Topkin)
- Kevin Kelly (2.156): $925K agreement today (per Topkin)
- Richie Palacios (2.156): $945K agreement today (per Topkin)
- Edwin Uceta (2.150): Did not reach agreement, will exchange figures (per Topkin)
Red Sox
- Tanner Houck (4.100): $4.1MM agreement today (per Chris Cotillo of MassLive)
- Johan Oviedo (4.078): $1.55MM agreement today (per Alexander)
- Jarren Duran (3.155): $7.7MM agreement reached in November
- Kutter Crawford (3.136): $2.75MM agreement reached earlier this week
- Romy González (3.083): $1.6MM agreement today (per Cotillo)
- Connor Wong (3.079): $1.375MM agreement reached in November
- Triston Casas (3.032): $1.61MM agreement today (per Cotillo)
Reds
- Brady Singer (5.156): $12.75MM agreement today (per Feinsand)
- Gavin Lux (5.114): $5.525MM agreement today (per Joel Sherman of The New York Post)
- Tyler Stephenson (5.056): Did not reach agreement, likely headed for hearing (per Feinsand)
- Sam Moll (4.023): $875K agreement reached in November
- Nick Lodolo (4.000): $4.725MM agreement today (per Feinsand)
- Ben Rortvedt (3.135): $1.25MM agreement reached with Dodgers in November before Reds claimed him off waivers
- Graham Ashcraft (3.130): Did not reach agreement, likely headed for hearing (per Feinsand)
- TJ Friedl (3.112): $3.8MM agreement today (per Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer)
- Tony Santillan (3.099): $1.8MM agreement today (per Feinsand)
- Spencer Steer (3.035): $4MM agreement today (per Murray)
- Will Benson (3.003): $1.725MM agreement today (per Wittenmyer)
- Matt McLain (2.140): $2.3MM agreement today (per Wittenmyer)
Rockies
- Jimmy Herget (4.069): $1.55MM agreement today (per Thomas Harding of MLB.com)
- Mickey Moniak (4.027): $4MM agreement today (via 7News’ Ari Alexander)
- Ryan Feltner (3.071): $2.45MM agreement today (per Alexander)
- Tyler Freeman (3.046): $1.525MM agreement today (per Harding)
- Brenton Doyle (2.161): $3.1MM agreement today (per Katie Woo of The Athletic)
- Brennan Bernardino (2.150): $925K agreement today (per Harding)
Royals
- Kris Bubic (5.135): No agreement reached, likely heading for hearing (per Rogers)
- John Schreiber (5.027): $3.715M agreement today (per Joel Sherman of the New York Post)
- Jonathan India (5.000): $8MM agreement reached in November
- Kyle Isbel (4.043): $2.7MM agreement today (per Murray)
- Nick Mears (4.022): $1.9MM agreement today (per Rogers)
- Bailey Falter (3.138): $3.6MM agreement today (per Murray)
- Daniel Lynch IV (3.136): $1.025MM agreement today (per Anne Rogers of MLB.com)
- Vinnie Pasquantino (3.101): No agreement reached, likely heading for hearing (per Rogers)
- Michael Massey (3.068): $1.57MM agreement today (via Ari Alexander of 7News)
- Maikel Garcia (2.168): Five-year, $57.5MM extension signed in December
- James McArthur (2.150): $810K agreement reached in November
Tigers
- Tarik Skubal (5.114): No agreement reached, likely heading to a hearing (per Nightengale)
- Casey Mize (5.111): $6.15MM agreement today (per Petzold)
- Jake Rogers (5.040): $3.05MM agreement reached in November
- Will Vest (4.100): $3.95MM agreement today (per Petzold)
- Zach McKinstry (4.099): $4.2MM agreement today (per Petzold)
- Matt Vierling (4.026): $3.225MM agreement reached in November
- Riley Greene (3.110): $5MM agreement today (per Petzold)
- Spencer Torkelson (3.076): $4.075MM agreement today (per Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press)
- Kerry Carpenter (3.057): $3.275MM agreement today (per Petzold)
- Beau Brieske (3.056): $1.1575 agreement reached in November
- Tyler Holton (3.047): $1.575MM agreement reached today (per Petzold)
Twins
- Ryan Jeffers (5.089): $6.7MM agreement today (per Wolfson)
- Justin Topa (5.044): $1.225MM agreement reached in November
- Bailey Ober (4.093): $5.2MM agreement today (per Darren Wolfson of KSTP)
- Joe Ryan (4.033): No agreement reached (per Dan Hayes of The Athletic)
- Trevor Larnach (4.014): $4.475MM agreement today (per Wolfson)
- Royce Lewis (3.142): $2.85MM agreement today (per Wolfson)
- Alex Jackson (3.036): $1.35MM agreement today (per Sherman)
- Cole Sands (3.017): $1.1MM agreement today (per Sherman)
White Sox
Yankees
- Jazz Chisholm Jr. (5.075): $10.2MM agreement today (per Jack Curry of The YES Network)
- David Bednar (5.073): $9MM agreement today (per Jack Curry of The YES Network)
- Clarke Schmidt (4.148): $4.5MM agreement reached in November
- Camilo Doval (4.071): $6.1MM agreement today (per Jorge Castillo of ESPN)
- Luis Gil (3.073): $2.1625MM agreement today (per Jack Curry of The YES Network)
- Jake Bird (3.051): $975K agreement today (per Sherman)
- Oswaldo Cabrera (3.050): $1.2MM agreement reached in November
- Fernando Cruz (3.035): $1.45MM agreement today (per Jack Curry of The YES Network)
- Anthony Volpe (3.000): $3.475MM agreement today (per Jack Curry of The YES Network)
- José Caballero (2.170): $2MM agreement today (per Alexander)
Yankees Avoid Arbitration With Jazz Chisholm Jr.
The Yankees announced they’ve reached an agreement with infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. for the 2026 season. It’s a one-year, $10.2MM deal, reports Jack Curry of the YES Network. Chisholm is a client of Roc Nation Sports.
New York settled all eight of its remaining arbitration cases today. Chisholm was the only one to crack eight figures, though closer David Bednar ($9MM) wasn’t far behind. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz nailed both numbers. The 27-year-old Chisholm is in his final year of arbitration and will head to free agency next offseason.
Chisholm put together a massive 30/30 campaign in his first full season in pinstripes. He struck out at an above-average clip, but also pushed his walk rate to a career-best 10.9%. Chisholm’s 126 wRC+ was his best mark since the 134 he posted in an abbreviated 2022 season, when a back injury limited him to 60 games. Health issues hindered Chisholm for much of his tenure in Miami. That hasn’t been the case in New York. Aside from a minimum IL stint in 2024 and a one-month absence this past year, Chisholm has been a fixture in the Yankees’ lineup. He’s played at least 130 games in back-to-back seasons.
After making the move to third base when he first joined the team, Chisholm was locked in at second base after New York traded for Ryan McMahon. He should reprise that role in 2026, assuming he’s still on the team. Rival clubs have checked in with the Yankees about Chisholm. The pending free agent is interested in a contract extension, but New York hasn’t been as keen on the idea. There’s been no indication that the Yankees are actually considering trading Chisholm. He’s more than likely going to be back in the middle of a formidable New York lineup next year.
Photo courtesy of Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images
Rangers Sign Patrick Murphy To Minor League Deal
The Rangers announced the signing of reliever Patrick Murphy to a minor league contract with an invitation to big league camp. Texas also confirmed their previously reported agreement with veteran righty Nabil Crismatt.
Murphy will be in camp for a second consecutive spring. Texas signed the righty to a non-roster deal last offseason as well. He pitched well in exhibition play and made 14 appearances with Triple-A Round Rock before they granted him his release in July. Murphy wanted to pursue a foreign opportunity and wound up signing with the KBO’s KT Wiz. He had never played in Korea but spent the 2024 campaign in Japan as a member of the Nippon-Ham Fighters.
The former third-round draft choice started nine of 15 appearances with the Wiz. He tossed 60 2/3 innings of 3.12 ERA ball, albeit with a modest 17% strikeout rate. The Wiz wound up replacing both of their foreign-born pitchers. Lefty Enmanuel De Jesus also returned to affiliated ball on a minor league contract with the Tigers. The Wiz signed Matt Sauer and Caleb Boushley, who made 25 appearances for Texas last year, to fill those spots.
Murphy will try to pitch his way back to the MLB level for the first time in four years. He combined for 35 appearances for the Blue Jays and Nationals between 2020-22. He carries a 4.76 earned run average with slightly worse than average strikeout and walk marks in 39 2/3 MLB innings. Murphy sits around 95 MPH with his four-seam fastball and sinker and uses a low-80s curveball as his breaking pitch.
Mariners Avoid Arbitration With Arozarena, Gilbert
7:50pm: Seattle announced agreements with all seven players in their arbitration class. That includes a $10.927MM deal with Gilbert, reports Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. He’d been projected at an even $10MM. Gilbert is coming off a 3.44 ERA showing across 25 starts. He’ll go through arbitration once more before reaching free agency.
12:37pm: The Mariners and slugging outfielder Randy Arozarena are in agreement on a one-year, $15.65MM contract, reports Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com. He’s entering his final season of arbitration control before becoming a free agent next winter.
Acquired from the Rays at the 2024 trade deadline, Arozarena has been an impactful source of power in the heart of Seattle’s lineup since that trade. He had a slow start to his Seattle tenure but in 2025 slashed .238/.334/.426 with a career-high 27 home runs and 31 steals (the second-highest mark of his career). By measure of wRC+, which weights for the pitcher-friendly confines in Seattle’s T-Mobile Park, Arozarena has been 22% better than average at the plate since landing in the Emerald City.
Heading into 2026, Arozarena will again play a key role near the top of manager Dan Wilson’s lineup. He’ll be joined by MVP runner-up Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez and the recently re-signed Josh Naylor atop what should be a quality Mariners lineup. The M’s have been continuing their search for more bats, looking particularly hard at adding another infielder to the mix. They’ve reportedly shown interest in trading for Cardinals infielder Brendan Donovan and D-backs star Ketel Marte, and they haven’t yet closed the door on a reunion with slugger Eugenio Suarez.
Arozarena was the Mariners’ most expensive arb case this winter. They’ve also reportedly agreed to a deal with George Kirby ($6.65MM) and have pending cases with Logan Gilbert, Gabe Speier, Luke Raley, Matt Brash and Bryce Miller. Arozarena had been projected for a heartier $18.2MM salary by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz. He’ll clock in about 14% lower than that mark, leaving the Mariners with more flexibility as they continue to look for additional help on the offensive side of things and in their bullpen.